Air Samarkand to launch Samarkand-Tel Aviv route on 4th May

Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand is launching its latest international scheduled service to the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv on 4th May of this year.

The new weekly service between Samarkand and Tel Aviv will operate every Sunday via an Airbus A321 aircraft. 

The 5.5-hour flights will depart from Samarkand in Uzbekistan at 06:00 am, arriving in Tel Aviv five and a half hours later at 09:25 am local time. 

Return services will depart from Tel Aviv at 11:20 am, arriving back in the historic city of Samarkand at 18:40 pm local time.

According to Air Samarkand CEO Zafar Butayev: “The launch of regular flights to Tel Aviv is an important step in the further development of ties between Uzbekistan and Israel. We see significant demand both from the business community, and from tourist and pilgrim travellers for a convenient and competitive service that links these two culturally rich cities. It is also another step forward in the expansion of our route network.”

A timely development

The latest development of the Air Samarkand route network will strengthen the development of tourist and business ties between Uzbekistan and Israel, whilst also linking two historically and culturally rich cities.

Likewise, the launch of the new route is in keeping with recent initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel. 

In 2024, Israel supported Uzbekistan’s application to join the World Trade Organization, and, just this January, representatives from Uzbekistan and Israel discussed labour migration issues, with the aim of expanding cooperation in the social and economic spheres.

For travellers from Israel, the new flight provides convenient access to Samarkand, the historical centre of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In addition, the growing market of Uzbekistan is of interest to Israeli investors and businesses, and the launch of regular flights will greatly simplify business travel.

Ongoing expansion

The start of flight operations to Tel Aviv forms the latest part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to expand its international route network. 

Throughout this year, the airline plans to increase the frequency of services to key destinations and add new international city destinations. 

The Uzbekistan carrier also continues to develop its fleet by investing in modern aircraft and improving customer service to strengthen its position in the Central Asian market.